Morning News Digest: Monday, November 17, 2008

With the PolitickerWA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Washington's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.

Speculation begins for local appointees in Obama administration

Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi never let a stump speech go by without reminding the audience that, as governor, he would be able to appoint hundreds of new state officials from the “blueberry commission on up.” (PolitickerWA.com)

http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2626/speculation-begins-local-appointees-obama-administration

The goal: A more efficient court

Pierce County is set today to open three new courtrooms that judges hope will streamline the criminal justice process.  (Adam Lynn, The News Tribune)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/540052.html

PDC talks of Internet's influence

The state Public Disclosure Commission is taking a go-slow approach to regulating the use of low-cost Internet tools in campaigns and lobbying. (Brad Shannon, The Olympian)

http://www.theolympian.com/stategovernment/story/662519.html

Bunney closes gap, but McCarthy holds narrow lead for Pierce executive

Pierce County executive candidate Shawn Bunney (R-Bonney Lake) increased his vote totals across the board in the latest ranked choice vote tabulation completed Friday night, but still trails RCV leader Pat McCarthy (D-Tacoma) by just under 3400 votes out of nearly 300,000 cast. (PolitickerWA.com)

http://www.politickerwa.com/bryanbissell/2627/bunney-closes-gap-mccarthy-holds-narrow-lead-pierce-exec

Public health contracts reopened

County health workers’ pain could be local nonprofit groups’ gain. (Michael Andersen, The Columbian)

http://www.columbian.com/article/20081117/NEWS02/711179976

Voter tally shows loyalty to Johnson outside city

It was close in the city, but the marquee 14th District state House race was no contest in the suburbs and rural areas of north Yakima County. (Pat Muir, Yakima Herald-Republic)

http://yakimaherald.com/stories/2008/11/16/vote-tally-shows-loyalty-to-johnson-outside-city

State review finds several ways schools can cut travel costs

A 19-month review of 2006 school district travel expenses found that tighter travel rules could save cash-strapped districts more than $1 million over the next five years. (Associated Press)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/kennewick_pasco_richland/story/386594.html

Former Ferndale Police lieutenant files discrimination suit against city

FERNDALE - A former Ferndale Police lieutenant is suing the department and the city in federal court for $1.5 million and reinstatement to his old job. (Peter Jensen, The Bellingham Herald)

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/102/story/669633.html

With the PolitickerWA.com Wake-Up Call e-mailed to your inbox, phone, Blackberry or PDA first thing in the morning, you can get a rundown of Washington's top political headlines. Sign up to get the Wake-Up Call delivered every morning.